Just a spot for the day.   Went out to a different place to set up,  but Mama-nature started acting as if she were fit to throw a tantrum; so I paddled back closer to the put in.   Across the bay from it in reality.    I feel sorta cheesy over here,  like I’m posing or something (you are!  You set up a little potemkin village for a photoshoot!) (Oh, thanxz for clearin’ that up,,,,)

All good.  Its also a learning thing.   Like this “find out”: the lower straps need tightened to the max or you banana out fast.   Being nylon. When they get wet,  they will stretch,  so I expect to banana a bit in wet weather.

I know the fly looks loosey-goosey (and is):  that can and will be rectified by finding trees further apart than the ones I chose here; At least another 2′ apart.  The top straps are at their minimum length for set up, so wider is better. The rainfly attaches to the straps outside of where the carabiners hook in: right now, it is on top of the ‘biners.  I’m gonna have to adapt to this one as these trees are the perfect distance for my old hammock.

A cool point: there is a second level below the main.  It can be left off as it just buckles on,  but it makes a killer gear storage to keep yout stuff off the ground and under cover without cluttering the living space.(in the side view pic,  it appears as if the ‘deck’ is sagging into a banana shape; thats the lower gear hammock,  not the main)

One bad note on the construction of the tent.   The toggles to tie back the fly entrance are located at the far ends of the opening.   They can’t tie it back.  I did see a couple of other reviewers say the same thing,  so this is a design flaw,  not a quality control issue. They should be located about 1/4-1/3 from the edge of the opening.    For that reason I set the opening up as a tarp, and it did have the loops to do so.(the kit also had the guylines and 2 stakes to accomplish this.  Sticks or trekking poles work well: paddles do not 😥)

After nap review: I’m a side sleeper.  Laid myself in, pillow under me head(yeah, totally spoiling myself) and out cold for an hour.  Even shifted sides and do not recall waking to do so.  Double Thumbs up!!!

Not gonna lie: this is likely NOT a good unit for hikers.  The whole thing packed up is double the size of my Lynx tent,  and weighs in near 8#.  As a kayakamping unit or car camping one: perfect.  It fit easily into my back hatch and slid full forward without a fight.   I really need to do a weekender with it to get a better review in,  but so far, ME LIKEY!!!  Givin’ it 4 1/2 stars (those toggles broke the star in half) and “would recommend” with ‘YMMV’ attached (not a Hiker Tent,,,)   Also note; This is not a four season tent.  There is a lot of gap between the fly and the ‘deck’ that allows copious amounts of ventilation.  As could be seen in my first post, most of the hammock side of things is bug net, not wind breaking material.  Perfect for moderate to tropical conditions, total fail in winter freeze the nads off conditions.

So now, I am eyeballin’ the calender, looking at some time in April when I can do the whole weekend thing (rain or shine, want to see how this thing handles bad stuff too.) OR, at least pull an overnight.  

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As for paddlin’,,,,   Damn,,, Outta shape!  but I did get some speed and some distance, even if I didn’t ‘camp out’ where I had intended.  My shoulders aren’t achy like they have been (paddling is Physical therapy for them) and my lower back is feeling much looser than it had been.    I need this; not just for the mind and soul, but to keep this old carcass in tune and properly trimmed.   And there is no small part of me that ‘didn’t want to go’ but not because I didn’t want to paddle, but because i really didn’t want to monkey with moving a kayak off the truck.    That is really the down side to this ‘hobby’: The toys are HEAVY and rather unwieldy when not in their element.    Now that I restarted though, convincing the hind brain “stop being a wuss and lets go play” will be easier.   And I really need to NOT let myself lapse like I had this past season.   Bad Dio, No Chinese buffet for you!!!

tomorrow is domestics day, and one of those chores is to clean my wetsuits.  The one I wore today had some funk to it that I don’t recall from last year.   Just sitting with old sweat in the fabric coating will do that.  Blech,,,,   Another of those ‘shoulda rinsed the dang thing out before hangin’ it ”

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Ok, cat out of the bag time

THAT is what I bought early in this month that didn’t make it here first go’round.  Or the second for that matter,,,  (that one was just lost in paperwork or sumpin,,,)   At least this one arrived, FAST like at that (three days from order to delivery) ANdddddd,,,, the most important part: No light fingered delivery people intervened.

Above was my initial set-up introduction run.  Not to try it out, but to make sure all was well and all parts on hand, and to give me an idea of what was what, where and how it all ties together.

What the hell is it?

Its a flat lay hammock.   No more ‘Dio makes like Banana’ camping.  (actually, as Brudda B could attest, My hammock usually looked like a flying burrito, not a banana.  BuT, that meant I was sorta squeezed to death too.

By appearances, this has more interior room than my Lynx bivvy tent, which is an absolute plus. I didn’t take any pics with the rainfly on (will fix that error when I set this up ‘for reals’) but there are ZERO touch points between the fly and the netting: something I can’t say about my Lynx.   That contact sometimes makes for a damp interior.

In addition, this CAN be used as a ground tent.   The ‘tub’ in the main tent is quite deep, and very heavy waterproofed fabric (150D) so even if things get wet, it won’t get ‘in’ very easily.   Seeing how most times I go camping, there are plenty of trees, that’s not an issue, but there may be times kayakamping where trees are a hike away.  (say, beach camping,,,)  Versatile was the selling point that hooked me.

And yeah, so did the Camo thing.   I’m something of a stealth camper, especially when I go solo.   Don’t wanna attract any unwanted visitations by less than honorable individuals.    Getting older, it takes more to dig the hole to hide the body.

just kiddin’.   But serious about wanting to ‘dissappear’ when I am out camping.  

So, Feild Test today.  Not going for an overnight, not yet, but I am going to set it up in legit conditions, and probably take a nap, just to see.   I’m hoping because I much prefer hanging off the ground to snuggling with it.

and for the frugal minded, yup, this is rather pricey at two bills for the whole shebang.   (unlike some other brands that sell you the straps and ‘biners seperate, marked up 1000%)  I probably shouldn’t have spent the FRN’s, but, , ,    Hell, ya can’t take  it with you and I wanna enjoy living on THIS side of the dirt before I go occupying THAT side of the dirt.

IF it works out, I have two other tents that I can put up for sale (Lynx and a cheepy two man that works,)    IF it does not work for me, there is enough demand for this model, that I can Marketplace it and recoup most of the money I spent on it and not feel so bad about a failed experiment.  (and that demand is why I believe my first order was lightfingered,,,,A big thank you goes out to the ‘Zon for correcting the problem.)

but I have a good feeling for it after setting up on the porch.    I couldn’t lay in it as one side was attached to a workbench, nothing structural to support weight.   I didn’t want to take it out in the tree line since the briars are really taking off with it being spring and I didn’t want to risk holes in my brand new toy.   And they will punch holes in things: I’ve bled enough from them getting Voo untangled a few times.   (I leave them up because they are a great way of keeping sneaky types from coming in the backways away from eyeballs.)

I’ll post an update post later, with pics, and later, when I have more time, I will do a weekend or overnight and give a proper review.

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Went in, readied gear to go, two trucks left the shop toward site.

Oops,,, some’un dropped the ball, one truck (my truck) had to turn back to pick up the forgotten item (nailgun)

Get it, p get back on road.

TEMP GAGE goes all wonky and I hit the curb.   This particular truck recently had a BRAND NEW FACTORY CRATE engine installed (within last year,,,)   Not gonna blow it up.

Just a question,,,, WHY, for the love of God, does a company put QUICK CONNECT fittings on a high pressure high heat connection?

Simple fix, reattach the quick connect, fingers crossed that it was just a slip of the last mechanic’s work. (they go on, feel secure, but if you do not hear/feel that CLIK!, they ain’t secure. I had to wiggle it quite a bit to get the click.)

Anyyhooozzzz,,, While I am figuring out what the heck is goin’ on under the hood, Burnout is on my fone callin’ Son of Bossman to tell him whats up and request a delivery of new coolant.  (we lost every last drop with the upper hose blowin’ off.)

Bossman and Son of arrive, we refill the beasty and start it up to make sure alls good, and Son of Bossman says, “take it back to the shop, we’ll try again on Muhnday,,,,”

sigh,,,,, I get it.   Too many little snafu’s and you get the impression Universe is telln’ you to put a cork in it, call it a day, ease up a bit.

Good news though, My package arrived today, FINALLY after three weeks of fun and games and long distance calls, complaints and more than a little slandering of litefingered delivery peeps.   And now, FEILD TEST,,,,   Maybe not today, but then again, why not today,,,, Dunno,   My gumption is sorta shot after the ups and downs of how this day started and maybe, MAYBE, I should take the same hint that Son of took,,,,,

More laters: I got ALLLLLLLLL weekend to get my shit sorted out,,,,,

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Gonna take a break from writin’ anything today (other than to tell you such)  

Y’all take care and I catch up tomorrow.

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yin-yang thingy

I started writing a post in the zero dark this AM and wasn’t quite finished with it by the time I was forced to stop (had to make the FRN’s yaknow,,,)

And upon on return to home, re-read what I had written,,,

That saddle didn’t sit on that steer too well: All I am gonna say about that,,,,

Shit happens, sometimes what seems like the best of the best is curdled cream when the light of the day shines on it.   That was that post and it now resides in the round file of electrons.

Feelin’ a bit out of sorts today as well.   Probably need an hour or two cruisin’ the MSM’s to see whats being said, to at least get an idea as to where and what I need to be looking at/for.    Not that they are the most reputable sources, but they DO give me enough to work with, most of the time.    Right now, I feel quite ‘under the rock of solitude’ and while I quite like it here, it doesn’t keep me in the loop of ‘that real world’ (that ain’t.)

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As for lost packages and fun with UPS drivers that risk losing jobs.    We had a gap in our delivery service with them this week.   That was made up for (not stuff for me, but son of bossman) with a vengeance.   Dunno all the details, but seems the old driver is not driving anymore.   Hmmm,,,,    Maybe my extrapolation about ‘liking my item more than me’ had some validity to it?    (me thinks, YES.)   AND, the replacement package was listed as shipped this afternoon (out of LittleRock) so I should see it by the expected date of muhnday.   Fingers crossed: its been delayed 3 weeks now.    Good thing it wasn’t something Essential, like meds or sumsuch. 

Long drive day (again, different location) and strain on the brain thinking for the others.  (seriously, you have been on the job for THREE YEARS and still need coached on BASICS???? GMAB!!!)  

sigh

it’s all good: as the Hoolis said “job security”,,,,   And the client got a good laugh as I mimed throttling one of the dolts, while walking up to Hoolis, saying,” Your monkeys!!! they are your monkeys.”  (The client is a good guy, retired and bored silly.  Even helped us unload the trucks, while all of us insisted he didn’t need to help.  yeah, there is some risk of liability stuff, but this is rural KY,,, things are a bit more relaxed,,,,  In another state, I would have put my foot down.)

Tomorrow is Turdsday, Burnout will be back on board, so things should run a bit smoother with the competent workers outnumbering the dolts.  Let the dolts mix concrete, they seem ok with that (not consistent mixes, but its mud to hold poles,,,,)   Should be smoother running day with the exception of “Dio must figure some details out” about some super shady transitions on the fenceline.      Son of and I were walking through and he pretty much left the details in my lap on those areas.   Sign of trust in me to make it right?   I’m gonna go with that as it is a compliment to me.   We all like a pat on the back everyonce in a while, even if it means ‘more Responsibility’.

kinda tired, been a day.

more laters when I get some catchin’ up done.

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Not that I drivel (much, LOL)   but that is how this day seemed to carry forward,,, Not much of anything to talk about.  

Well,  I DID need to reconnect with the ‘Zon and get that mess straightened out, yet again.  At least this time, I have an order showing with expected delivery date, whereas my last call, I was in the dark with promises ‘we’ll make this right’.    (that faith in other hoomans thing,,, I haven’t much unless you’ve been in my circle for some time and have earned it.)

Francis posted up something I found intriguing.   Never been much of the ‘bar’ attending type.   Most of my time in bars was spent as contractor or employee in some nature (Audio stuff) and rarely was it as a patron.   BUT, I do know of what he speaks, since I was a Coffee house afficianado once upon a time.    When I was in the Corps, stationed on Camp Pendleton, there were several Coffee houses out in town, and ONE in particular that I was a regular patron of.   It wasn’t your typical leftist hive mind place, though it did have it’s share of such.  Mostly it was tattooists, musicians and strap hangers to the forementioned; along with a few caffiene junkies such as myself.   It was how I managed to start getting into mixing sound. (and learned far more than a four year stint at FullSail can teach you.   In addition, do four years at FullSail and chances are you will get picked up by DizzKnee and have to slave away for minimum wage doing the same thing I was getting paid $3500/wk for (plus per diem @ NY rates.)   Good luck with paying off that student debt that way.   Bust your chops in the bars, be nice but firm, and ‘pay your dues’,,, You’ll get the break you dream of.)  

But I digress,,,,,

Local bar, NEIGHBORHOOD BAR (sorta like the bar in Cheers, but better, friendlier.)

Not in my neck of the woods,,,,, Hell, this area was still a dry county until 3 years back.  One local bar that opened up with the relaxation of modern day prohibition,,,   And from what I have seen of it, NOT A NICE PLACE TO BE if you don’t speak with the local dialect.   I don’t, I can’t even fake it.  I can’t understand most people here’bouts if they get on a roll: its like some form of Gaelic crossed with Chinese to my ears.   I understand drunken Scottish brogue easier.

And I have investigated my ‘old stomping grounds’ of a coffee house.   Sadly, its on the edge of the local college campus and COMPLETELY INDOCTRINATED in Lefty thinks…  I may as well have walked in there with a Trump2024 shirt and a full auto 12ga on my hip for all the love I felt when I showed my face.  (granted, I was wearing a ‘conservative’ T-shirt: The one that looks like a coca-cola emblem but says  “enjoy Capitalism”.   I guess I shot myself in the foot on that, but hey, if they wouldn’t welcome me for ME, then Fuggem!.)

Fact is, I fit in around here like a square log in a round hole,,,  Lots of hammering needed and little to no gaurantee that even that will do.   I only fit in at work because I have made myself essential to the business and built my reputation quite high.   Outside of that, I’m just another face in the crowd and ‘no one of consequence’.   (admittedly, I like a certain amount of anonymity.  Never have been one for the limelights.)

But it do get a might lonely at times,,,,

is what it is.   I have friends, just not close to home currently.  They understand why I am ‘stuck’ in the armpit of SEKY and that eventually, that will be rectified.  No rush (Believe me, NO rush, PLEASE,,,,,)

Drivel,,,, thats my post today.  ROFL

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Stopped at Da’s on way home (with dedkow for mama, so couldn’t stay long).   Had a little convo with him and

lets just say, I am glad as heck its getting warm out again.  His bees and fishing are gonna alleviate the issue I ‘heard’.   It wasn’t just the things he was saying, it was the fear underlying his voice.   The things going on in the world, and he is finally woke to them, and: he’s scared.    He feels that someone/group is pushing HARD for the next World War (and I can’t refute that) and that old “Cold War” angst is coming back on him.   He’s in his twilight years, afeared of what shouldn’t even be a thing anymore.

And I get it.   Hell, I’m scared of what moves and tantrums are taking place in the Eurasian theater.   Not as much whats going on the ME, but even that has potential to overboil its pot and make things world wide go sideways.

And ain’t a damned thing people like us can do to change shit.   The people of Europe need to start doing some housekeeping, but from all I can see, they are just as much a part of the problem as the powergrubbing Poly-tickians doing the boat rockin’.   I know there were signs in France that the people were uprising, a couple years back, but we don’t hear too much about that these days.  I know that Germany has been getting uppity in the political arena, and there are signs of grassroots movements in the UK. 

The People of Europe SHOULD be pissed off in a rightous anger, but we don’t hear about it.   All eyes are on the turmoils of our country (as it should be, honestly) but we don’t get enough information about the world stage to elicit any hope that maybe, just maybe, all this saber-rattling will get tamped down and Saner heads prevail.   So far the only reason we haven’t tipped over into Canned Sunshine Exchanges is, IMO, Putin is the saner head so far.    Thats a scary thought, No?

(NOTE; there may be that whole unknown unknown factor involved.   Fact is, We don’t really know if our Nukes are operational, let alone those of Russia.    We may get ‘thumbs ups’ from DOD that ours are good to go, but, Are they?   And until that day when they may need used, we can’t know.   We have to take it on faith that those in charge of that shit are on the up and up.   I have lots of faith, but not when it comes to human honesty.  That one needs EARNED, and current events are not helping that faith any.)

My personal observations, and I am repeating myself here: They, the powers current in the world scheme, are going to implode the world finance market, or they are going to explode world wide war,

and as Da stated, ‘only because they want to reduce the population to near zero’

Some people just want to see the world burn.

And that scares the ever lovin’ shit out of me.

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Muhnday wrap up.   Slow day, shop day (for the most part) and a full day at that (for me.  Crews only got 6.5)    Wanna keep that trend online and on the up and up for the next couple months.   Gotz some catchin’ up to do.    Maybe things will hold together a bit longer.    Fingers crossed.  (and if they don’t, Heinlein rules apply: When the ship lifts, all bills are settled.)

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